Here Yahshua has revealed some marvelous truths. In His prayer, He asks Yahweh to sanctify us in the truth. This means that the true church will overcome all error, and that they will be set apart from the world by obeying these truths. He next asks Yahweh to make us one (in total unity), as Yahweh and Yahshua are one (in total unity). The primary purpose for this was so that the world would know that Yahweh had sent Yahshua into the world, and that He had loved us even as He loved Yahshua.
It is obvious here that the key to revealing Yahshua to the world is found only in the total unity of the believers, as it was in the early church. In Acts 4:32-35, we find, “Now the company of those who believe were of one heart and soul, and NO ONE said that any of the things that he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. There was not a needy person among them, for AS MANY as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid at the Apostles feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.” The power of Yahweh, and the knowledge of Yahshua's teachings was revealed to the Jews in the whole area because of the unity of the believers in the early church. See John 13:35.
I believe that the lack of power in the church today is a direct result of the believers not living in unity to the point of being one in purpose and possessions. Each man seeks his own, which is the fruit of the world - competition, pride of ownership, privilege and precedence, all of which are the enemy of the spiritual man and the Kingdom of Yahweh. In the teaching of Community of Goods, Yahweh has provided a method of escaping all these things, by placing the love of our brothers and sisters above the accumulation of personal wealth. See Rom. 12:13.
In 1Tim. 6:7-11, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of Yahweh, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, meekness.”
In Acts 5:1-16, we find the story of Ananias and Sapphira who wanted to appear to give all the price of the land to the church, but could not find it in their hearts to actually do it. Rather than admit the truth, they lied to Peter and were slain by Yahweh.
In Acts 2:41-47, we find another account of the unity of the believers being associated with the wonders and signs that accompanied the early church. “Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls. And they continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer. And fear came upon every soul: and the Apostles did many wonders and signs. AND ALL that believed were together and had ALL things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. “And they, continuing daily with accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising Yahweh, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Since we know that it cannot be Yahweh's plan to reveal the truth through Babylon Temple Worship, it can only be through contact with the true people of Yahweh – those who are set apart from the world by their doctrine and who possess the unity and power of Yahweh. These are the true church that Yahweh uses to reveal his truth to His chosen ones.
Yahshua dealt with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-30, ”And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And (Yahshua) said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, Yahweh. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then (Yahshua) beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And (Yahshua) looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of Yahweh! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But (Yahshua) answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of Yahweh! It is easier for a camel (large rope in original) to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Yahweh. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, who then can be saved? And (Yahshua) looking upon them saith, with men it is impossible, but not with Yahweh: for with Yahweh all things are possible. Then Peter began to say unto him, lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And (Yahshua) answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Yahshua taught the price of discipleship to the people Mark 8:34-37, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
It is my belief that Yahweh was showing a type of the New Testament unity, when He poured out the Manna on the Children of Israel in the wilderness. We find in Exod. 16:14-18, that he who gathered much had nothing left over and he who had gathered little had no lack. It is beautiful that the unity of the believers (having all things in common, no one had too much and no one suffered lack) is part of revealing to the world that the true Bread of Life (Yahshuat) has come down from heaven.
John 6:31-33 31, “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then (Yahshua) said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Yahweh is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth truth unto the world.”
That the early Church practiced community of goods is without question. Yahshua said in Luke 18: 8, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? “ I believe that if He finds faith on the earth at the end, it will be the same faith that existed at the beginning. This is true simply because nothing but the true faith will be able to stand up against the onslaught of Satan in these last days.
We are not espousing communal living for everyone here; however, the prevailing circumstances, persecution, the destruction of the social structure of our society, etc, could make this necessary. We are simply stating that, in the true church, the love that must exist among Yahweh's children will be manifested even to the extent that no man counts anything his own, but rather counts all things as belonging to the brotherhood of the true Church.
John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
1John 3:17-18, "But whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of Yahweh in him? My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”
The only manifestation of love that the world cannot imitate is the willingness to share all our goods with one another. Do you love your fellow Believers more than your goods?
James 2:14-17, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POWER OF YAHWEH AND THE STRENGTH AND THE LOVE THAT WOULD BE MANIFEST IF WE COULD FIND A GROUP OF BELIEVERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY SPIRITUAL ENOUGH TO LIVE IN TRUE COMMUNITY?
